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Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap is the second international studio album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC, released in December 1976 in Europe and delayed for release in the U.S. until April 1981. All songs were written by Angus Young , Malcolm Young, and Bon Scott.

Originally released on Atlantic Records, it peaked at #3 and is currently 6 times platinum. The album was re-released in 2003 as part of the AC/DC Remasters series.

Overview

This edition of Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap is considerably different from the original Australian edition released in September 1976, featuring a different cover and track order.

On this album, the Australian version’s “R.I.P. (Rock in Peace)” and “Jailbreak” are replaced by “Rocker” (from 1975’s T.N.T.) and “Love at First Feel”, the latter being one of only two tracks from international AC/DC albums not available on the band’s Australian albums. (The other is “Cold Hearted Man”, released on European pressings of Powerage.) Conversely, several songs that are available on Australian AC/DC albums have not seen overseas release. However, “Love at First Feel” was released in Australia as a single.

Additionally, a song titled “I’m a Rebel” was recorded during the Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap sessions in September 1976, with music and lyrics written by Angus and Malcolm Young’s older brother, Alex Young. This song was never released and remains in Albert Productions’ vaults.

Angus came up with the title of the album when he was watching an episode of Beany And Cecil. The antagonist, Dishonest John, carried a card that read: “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Special Holidays, Sundays and Rates”.

Controversy

It has been posited that Atlantic Records removed “Jailbreak” from the international version due to concerns about its content. If true, this would be highly ironic considering that similar, if not more depraved, lyrical content is found in such songs as the title track, “Problem Child”, and “Big Balls”, all of which were included on the international version. The reasons for the omission of “R.I.P. (Rock In Peace)” are unknown.

Track listing

All songs composed by Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Bon Scott.

1. “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” – 4:11 (vinyl), 3:51 (CD)
2. “Love at First Feel” – 3:10
3. “Big Balls” – 2:38
4. “Rocker” – 2:49
5. “Problem Child” – 5:44
6. “There’s Gonna Be Some Rockin’” – 3:17
7. “Ain’t No Fun (Waiting Round to Be a Millionaire)” – 7:29 (vinyl), 6:57 (CD)
8. “Ride On” – 5:49
9. “Squealer” – 5:14

• Vinyl releases included full versions of the title track and “Ain’t No Fun (Waiting Round to Be a Millionaire)” while CD releases included edited versions of both songs.
• The track “Rocker” was originally released on T.N.T. in 1975.
• Some track lengths listed on CD version’s back cover are inaccurate, particularly in the case of the title track and “Ain’t No Fun (Waiting Round to Be a Millionaire)”.

Personnel

• Bon Scott – lead vocals
• Angus Young – lead guitar
• Malcolm Young – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
• Mark Evans – bass
• Phil Rudd – drums

Production

• Producers: Harry Vanda, George Young
• Mastering supervisors: Michael Fraser, Al Quaglieri
• Digital remastering: George Marino
• Digital assembly: Eugene Nastasi
• Cover design: Hipgnosis
• Sleeve photo: Paul Canty
• Photography: Hipgnosis, Philip Morris, Michael Putland, Neil Zlozower

Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

Singles - Billboard (North America)

Notes

• Extreme Championship Wrestling’s Balls Mahoney used “Big Balls” as his entrance theme. In the current World Wrestling Entertainment incarnation of ECW, he uses an instrumental version of the song.

See also

• Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (Australian album)

External links

• Lyrics on AC/DC’s official website